Moving out? Here’s what to do with your stuff
Whether you’re moving out of a residence hall or your place off campus, figuring out what to keep, donate or toss doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With a little planning, you can save time and do your part to keep reusable items out of landfills. Here’s a guide to your main options and how to make the most of them.
Donate items you don’t want to keep
Donating helps your community and cuts down on waste.
On-campus residents: Give and Go Donation Drive
If you live on campus, take part in the Give and Go Donation Drive from April 27-May 1. You can donate:
- Clothing and shoes
- Usable home goods
- Unopened, non‑perishable food
- Books and school supplies
- Toiletries, hygiene products and cleaning supplies
Items not accepted:
- Bedding, pillows or towels
- Broken items
Off-campus residents: Drop-off locations on The Hill
If you live off campus, use drop‑off sites on The Hill to get rid of hard‑to‑recycle items like furniture, mattresses and electronics. This program is a partnership between the Environmental Center, Off-Campus Life and the city of Boulder.
2026 drop-off dates will be May 4-5. Students can also use this form to request a pickup of unwanted items from your property between the dates of April 20 and April 24.
Drop-off locations:
- 11th St. & Pennsylvania Ave.
- 13th St. & Euclid Ave.
- 15th St. & Euclid Ave.
- 10th St. & College Ave.
- Aurora Ave. & 12th St.
There are also donation centers around Boulder that accept usable items in good condition.
Looking to donate your bike? Unwanted bikes can be donated at the TLC and UMC bike stations, where they will be refurbished and sold at the annual fall bike sale.
Store items for next year
If you plan to keep and use your items again next year, storage is a great option.
Summer storage
If you’re looking for convenient storage solutions, check out our preferred storage partners in the area. The UPS Store at CU Boulder offers packing, shipping and storage services to help make your move easy, and there are several other local storage providers available for your needs.
Store your bike on campus
The CU Bike Program offers secure, covered bike storage for the entire summer for $20. Bikes left on outdoor racks are often stolen, and abandoned bikes may be impounded—summer storage is a safer option.
- When: April 27- May 1, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Where: CU Bicycle Warehouse (southwest corner of 3100 Marine St.) or the TLC bike station
- Cost: $20 (credit/debit only)
- How it works: No reservations—bikes are accepted first‑come, first‑served
If you wish to keep your bike for all of finals week, email bicycle@colorado.edu to discuss later drop-off options.
Dispose of items that can’t be donated
Some items need special handling and should not go in the trash.
Medications: Use the take‑back box in the lobby of the Parking Services and Police Department building.
Vapes and hazardous tobacco products: Dispose of them at designated locations in the UMC and Village Center.
Electronics: In Colorado, it’s illegal to throw electronics in the trash.
- Donate usable electronics to thrift stores.
- Recycle broken electronics at Eco‑Cycle’s Center for Hard‑to‑Recycle Materials, Staples or Best Buy.
Household hazardous waste: Learn how to dispose of hazardous waste items like fluorescent bulbs, cleaning products, motor oil, antifreeze, paint and yard care products.
Other hard‑to‑recycle items: Visit the Environmental Center website for guidance on disposing of batteries, cell phones and toner cartridges.
Review additional reminders
For on-campus residents:
- All resident contracts expire on May 2 at 10 a.m. for residence halls, Bear Creek and Weber Hall. You must complete a summer housing application to be eligible for summer housing.
- Students should return their room to the original move-in condition before moving out. Follow the steps outlined in the cleaning checklist to minimize any damage charges.
- Dispose of all recycling and trash in the appropriate receptacles outside your hall.
- Check out summer storage options.
- Return your mailbox key to your assigned UPS Store location.
- Learn more about on-campus move-out information.
For off-campus residents
- If you are moving out, remember to properly dispose of any items you are getting rid of. Large items will not be picked up with regular trash, and disposing of electronics in a landfill is illegal.
- Off-Campus Life and the Environmental Center have resources on how to recycle or donate electronics, mattresses, clothing, small appliances and other hard-to-dispose-of materials.
- If you are leaving Boulder for the summer, post your sublet or create a roommate profile on Ralphie’s List, CU’s rental database.
- Sublease agreements are available from Off-Campus Life. If you have legal concerns about subleasing, you can schedule an appointment with an attorney through Off-Campus Life for free legal advice. Student Legal Services (SLS) also provides free lease reviews. SLS can be reached by visiting UMC 311 or calling 303-492-6813.
- If you will be gone for an extended period, ask a friend or neighbor to watch your property and consider putting your mail on hold while you are away. Consider setting your lights on a timer, lock all doors and windows and make sure your valuables are not visible from the outside.
- Protect your property from a possible flooding situation. If you live in a flood-prone area or a basement apartment, remember to remove items from the floor before you leave. Get flood safety information.
- Boulder has enacted a bear ordinance requiring all residents west of Broadway to keep their trash secured in bear-resistant containers or enclosed areas. If you are subletting this summer, properly secure your trash.
- If you are still looking for fall housing, search Ralphie’s List or connect with Off-Campus Life for a list of property management companies and apartment complexes.
For more sustainability tips and resources on recycling and beyond, connect with the Environmental Center.